ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh Launches Online Portal for Items to be Purchased Against Firm Demand from CSD
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh today launched the Online Portal https://afd.csdindia.gov.in/ for purchase of items Against Firm Demand  from CSD Canteens. The objective of the launch of this Online Portal is to enable about 45 Lakh CSD beneficiaries including Serving & Retired persons from Armed Forces and Serving Civilian Defence employees to purchase AFD-I items  from the comfort of their home.
Appreciating the launch of this portal, Raksha Mantri conveyed the commitment of the Govt towards the welfare of all Jawans and Officers of Armed Forces and the Veterans. He complimented the entire team for the successful completion of this project. Shri Rajnath Singh said that the project was in line with the vision of Digital India, enunciated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
The ceremony was held at New Delhi. Live streaming of delivery of Cars/ Motorcycles was done from Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad and Jaipur for those who booked them during the trial run of the portal afd.csdindia.gov.in, which has been formally launched now and will facilitate faster and hassle-free experience to all the beneficiaries.
Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar along with other dignitaries attended the function.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people of Chhattisgarh on its Foundation Day
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people of Chhattisgarh on its Foundation Day.
"छत्तीसगढ़ के लोगों को राज्य के स्थापना दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। मेरी कामना है कि प्राचीन काल से विभिन्न संस्कृतियों का केंद्र रहा यह प्रदेश उन्नति और समृद्धि की राह पर आगे बढ़ता रहे।", the Prime Minister said.
NITI Aayog
Rebuttal to Media Reports on Privatization of Public Sector Banks
A fictitious message is being circulated in media regarding list shared by NITI Aayog on privatization of Public Sector Banks. It is hereby informed that no such list as mentioned has been shared by NITI Aayog in any form.
Ministry of Culture
President of India to present Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony in national capital on 18 th February 2019
The President of India will present the Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony to Shri Rajkumar Singhajit Singh; Chhayanaut ; and Shri Ram Sutar Vanji for the years 2014, 2015 & 2016 respectively on 18.02.2019 at Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra, New Delhi.
Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony was instituted by the Government of India from 2012 recognizing the contributions made by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore to humanity at large with his works and ideas, as part of the Commemoration of his 150th Birth Anniversary in 2012, for promoting values of Cultural Harmony.
It is awarded annually and carries an amount of Rs. One Crore , a citation in a Scroll, a Plaque as well as an exquisite traditional handicraft / handloom item. The Award may be divided between two persons / institutions who are considered by the Jury to be equally deserving of recognition in a given year.
As per para 2 of Chapter VII of Code of Procedure of Tagore Award, the Jury comprises of the following persons:-
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Prime Minister of India
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Chairman 
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Chief Justice of India
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Leader of the Opposition recognized as such in the Lok Sabha or where there is no such Leader of Opposition then, the Leader of the single largest opposition party in that House
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Member 
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Eminent person
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Nominated Member
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Eminent person
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Nominated member
Shri N. Gopalaswami and Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Member of Parliament  & President, Indian Council for Cultural Relations were nominated by Chairman of the Jury i.e Prime Minister of India as members on the Jury of Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony for a period of three years .
This annual award is given to individuals, associations, institutions or organizations for their outstanding contribution towards promoting values of Cultural Harmony. The Award is open to all persons regardless of nationality, race, language, caste, creed or gender. Normally, contributions made during ten years immediately preceding the nomination are considered. Older contributions may also be considered if their significance has become apparent only recently. A written work, in order to be eligible for consideration, should have been published during the last ten years. Work by a person since deceased cannot be the subject of an Award. If, however, his death occurred subsequent to a proposal having been submitted to the Jury in the manner stipulated in the Code of Procedure, then a Posthumous Award may be made.
The Ministry of Culture, Government of India invites nominations from the categories of persons/organizations in accordance with the provisions of Para I of Chapter IV of the Code of Procedure.
The First Tagore Award – 2012 was conferred upon Pt. Ravi Shankar, the Indian Sitar Maestro and the Second Award – 2013 was conferred upon Maestro Zubin Mehta.
Shri Rajkumar Singhajit Singh, Chhayanaut ; and Shri Ram Sutar Vanji have been selected for the year 2014, 2015 & 2016.

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PIB Headquarters
6.8 Kgs of Gold, worth Rs. 2.28 crores seized by Customs at Chennai Airport
On 24.11.2019, on specific information that huge quantity of gold is being smuggled from Colombo by one Mohamed Niyas in the Sri Lankan airlines flight UL125 /24.11.2019, Customs officials maintained a special watch at aerobridge , tarmac, arrival hall area of Anna International Airport and intercepted Mohamed Niyas of S P Pattinam, arrived by UL 125 who traveled from Dubai as transit passenger at Colombo and admitted to have distributed gold in paste form to the 29 passengers. The said 29 passengers were also intercepted and accepted to have received gold from Niyas. Around 7.5 kg of gold in paste form concealed in their rectum was recovered. On extraction 24 kt gold weighing 6.4 kg worth Rs 2.16 crore  was recovered and seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. One of the 29 passengers was arrested based upon his previous offence .
On the same night, Customs officials on suspicion , intercepted one male pax Aqueab Hussain of Kadapa who arrived from Kuwait by Kuwait airways flight KU343/24.11.2019 . On search of his hand baggage gold sheets, gold rings, cut bits concealed inside two wrist watches were recovered. The recovered gold totally weighing 352 gms worth Rs11,88,000/- was seized under the Customs Act 1962.
Further Investigation is under progress according to a press release issued by the Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport, Chennai.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Training to Women in Agriculture
Government of India has already established an institute, ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, at Bhuvneshwar, Odisha under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi to address the problems and issues of the women in agriculture. The institute undertakes research on Women in Agriculture and to identify gender issues in agriculture and suggest interventions to address the same.
A total 704 number of capacity building programmes for farm women were conducted by ICAR-CIWA and All India Coordinated Research Project  on Home Science covering 31,626 farm women during 2015-20.
The Government has set up 722 Krishi Vigyan Kendras  in the country with mandate of technology assessment and demonstration for its application and capacity development. As part of their activities, the KVKs impart training to farmers including women farmers on various aspects of agriculture and allied sectors. The KVKs also organize women farmer specific training programmes on various topics like Household food security by kitchen gardening and nutrition gardening; Design and development of low/minimum cost diet; Designing and development for high nutrient efficiency diet; Minimization of nutrient loss in processing; Processing and cooking; Gender mainstreaming through SHGs; Storage loss minimization techniques; Value addition; Women empowerment; Location specific drudgery reduction technologies; Rural Crafts; and Women and child care.
During last year, 5358 women specific trainings were organised by the KVKs with the participation of 1.23 lakh women farmers. Besides, 5.50 lakh women farmers also participated in other 57757 training programmes along with male farmers.
Under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission  of Ministry of Rural Development, around 58,295 Krishi Sakhi for Agriculture activities were trained by 735 State Level Resource Persons.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Virtual celebrations of the World Environment Day with focus on Urban Forest
World Environment Day  is celebrated on 5th June every year. Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change celebrates WED focusing on the theme declared by UNEP and organizes several events. This year’s theme is ‘Biodiversity’. In view of the prevalent situation due to COVID-19 pandemic the ministry will be holding virtual celebrations of World Environment Day on this year’s theme themewith focus on Nagar Van . Shri Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, will grace the occasion as Chief Guest. The programme will be available live onhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzMQuhmheoo from 9 am on 5th June.
India though having less land mass and more human and cattle population has nearly 8 percent of biodiversity. The country is endowed with rich biodiversity having several species of animals and plants and hosts 4 of the 35 global bio-diversity hotspots containing several endemic species. Biodiversity conservation has traditionally been considered confined to remote forest areas but with increasing urbanization a need has arisen to safeguard and save biodiversity in urban areas also. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change relaunched a scheme for creating urban forest in 200 corporations and cities because all these cities have gardens but not forest. The urban forest will help in creating and enhancing the lung capacities of these cities.
In Pune city on the forest land of 40 acres a forest has been developed. More than 65000 trees, 5 ponds, 2 watch towers have been established, with many trees growing up to 25-30 feet. This year more trees would be planted. Today, the forest is rich in biodiversity with 23 plant species, 29 bird species, 15 butterfly species, 10 reptiles and 3 mammal species. Not only the Urban Forest project is helping maintain ecological balance, but also provides the Punaikars a good walk way and a place to be for the morning and evening walkers. The Wajre Urban Forest is now a role model for the rest of the country.
The event will also see participation from Minister of State of Environment Minstry Shri Babul Supriyo,Minister , Government of Maharashtra, Shri Sanjay Rathe, the new Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Shri. R P Gupta, DG Forests & Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Shri Sanjay Kumar, Executive Director, United Nation Convention to Combat Desertification, , Shri Ibrahim Thiawand Executive Director United Nation Environment Programme, Ms. Inger Ander Andersen. The dignitaries will join the event virtually which will be live on the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzMQuhmheoo .
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Prime Minister has made Swachhta a Jan Andolan, says Petroleum Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan at Swachhta Campaign Awards Ceremony
Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan today said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has made Swachhta a Jan Andolan which is drawing wide participation from society, urban and rural areas alike. He was speaking at the awards distribution ceremony for Swacchta Pakhwada in the petroleum industry. He also said that the petroleum industry has been contributing to this Jan Andolan, giving boost to its momentum and appealed to intensify this further and re-dedicate to this cause.
“As India completes 75 years of its independence in 2022, we must realise the dream of a Swacch Bharat”, he further added. He also called for greater involvement of private sector oil and gas companies in Swacch Bharat Abhiyan and suggested to PSUs to build state-of-the-art toilet facilities at all pilgrim centres and major tourist attractions in the country. He handed over the awards to oil and gas PSUs for Swacchta Pakhwada and Swacchta hi Sewa campaigns.
Shri Pradhan complimented the winners of Swachhata Hi Seva 2019 and Swachhta Pakhwada for their efforts in raising awareness on various aspects of cleanliness, including waste management and eliminating single-use plastics.
Following Swachhta Pakhwada Awards were presented: First Prize- IOCL Second Prize- BPCL 3rd Prize- ONGC Special Award- HPCL Swacchata hi Sewa: 1st- HPCL 2nd-BPCL 3rd-IOCL
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates Invest India
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted Invest India for winning the 2020 United Nations Investment Promotion Award given by UNCTAD.
"Congratulations to Invest India for winning the 2020 United Nations Investment Promotion Award given by UNCTAD. This is a testimony to our government’s focus on making India the world’s preferred investment destination & improving ease of doing business", the Prime Minister said.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President greets the nation on the eve of Janmashtami
The Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar has wished the people on the eve of Janmashtami. Following is the full text of his message -
“I convey my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami.
Janmashtami, celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, is of great spiritual significance for the devout. It reaffirms our faith in the victory of ‘Dharma’  over ‘Adharma’ .
Shri Krishna is the epitome of divine love, supreme beauty and eternal happiness . His timeless teachings in the Bhagavad Gita have been a great source of inspiration for humanity.
May this Janmashtami bring peace, harmony and happiness in our lives.”
Following is the Hindi translation:
जन्माष्टमी के पावन अवसर पर मैं अपने देशवासियों को हार्दिक बधाई और शुभकामनाएं देता हूं।
भगवान कृष्ण के जन्मोत्सव के रूप में, जन्माष्टमी का भक्तों के लिए अत्यधिक आध्यात्मिक महत्व है। यह पर्व 'अधर्म'  पर 'धर्म'  की विजय के हमारे विश्वास को पुन: पुष्ट करता है।
श्रीकृष्ण अलौकिक प्रेम, परम सौंदर्य और अनंत सुख  के प्रतीक हैं। भगवद् गीता में उनके शाश्वत् उपदेश मानवता के लिए एक महान प्रेरणास्रोत रहे हैं।
मैं कामना करता हूं कि जन्माष्टमी का यह पर्व हमारे जीवन में शांति, सौहार्द और खुशियां लेकर आए।
Ministry of Steel
Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste Reviews Performance of MOIL; Visits Balaghat Mines
The Minister of State for Steel and Rural Development Shri Fagan Singh Kulaste reviewed the performance of Manganese Ore  Limited , a schedule ‘A’ CPSE under Ministry of Steel and understood the future plans of MOIL yesterday at Balaghat. He expressed his satisfaction at the progress done by the company especially in pandemic times and advised the company for progressive growth in order to cater to India’s domestic needs.
Shri Kulaste was accompanied with State Minister of Ayush Department - Shri Ram Kishore Kanware and Balaghat Member of Parliament Shri Dalsingh Bisen at Balaghat Mines of MOIL. CMD MOIL,s Shri M.P Chaudhari welcomed them. Shri Kanware and Bisen appreciated the company’s performance inspite of not being able to work for 2 months due to Covid-19 gudielines and mentioned that MOIL ensured that production did not suffer in the remaining quarters. They also viewed the facilities provided to staff and workers and were glad to see the wave of happiness amongst MOILians after successful implementation of new wage agreement.
Shri Kulaste took a tour of underground mines and specially reviwed the Ferro Managanese plant of Balaghat. Shri Kanware thanked and expressed the support of the state government for setting up the new plant which is an added feather in MOIL’s growth.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Cabinet approves waiver of Penal Interest on Government Loans advanced to Visakhapatnam Port Trust
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for waiving of Penal Interest on Government Loans to Visakhapatnam Port Trust  as per following:
- Waiver of Penal Interest amounting to Rs. 250.89 crore in respect of VPT as on 31.03.2017 and further accruals thereon till date of approval of waiver;
- VPT to pay penalty @0.25%of Penal Interest as on date of approval of waiver of Penal Interest;
- VPT to pay the outstanding Principal of Rs. 44.69 crore and outstanding Interest as on the date of approval of waiver, in one single instalment in the Financial Year 2018-19.
Background:
Visakhapatnam Port Trust  had availed Rs. 110.41 crore of loan at different points of time beginning from 1970-71 to 1984-85 to finance its Outer Harbour Project to accommodate deep draft vessels of 100,000 DWT for Iron Ore exports. Each loan had a moratorium period of 5 years from the date of sanction. VPT made payments towards interest for the period of moratorium on various loans till 1978-79. However, it could not be continued with the repayment during the period from 1979-80 to 1989-90 due to revenue losses to the Port. It started repayment of loan amount  with effect from 1990-91 onwards. As on 31.03.2017, VPT has a total loan liability of Rs. 354.23 crore .
Further, the Port has a future fund requirement of around Rs. 2671.79 crore for different upcoming developmental projects and employees’ pension liabilities upto 2018-19. Therefore, the Port is not in a position to repay the total loan liability of Rs. Rs.354.23 crore.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister expresses happiness over Indian men's and women's football teams' participation in upcoming Asian Games
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed his happiness over Indian men's and women's football teams' participation in upcoming Asian Games 2023. The Sports Ministry has given relaxation for Indian football teams for participation in Asian Games 2023 at Hangzhou, China.
Responding to the tweet by President of All India Football Federation, Shri Kalyan Chaubey, the Prime Minister said;
“Great news for football fans across India! It will also encourage upcoming talent in this sport.”
Ministry of Defence
Ordnance Factory Dum Dum organizes week-long public exhibition of arms and Defence equipment
Kolkata; December 13, 2021
To mark Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration, Ordnance Factory Dum Dum will hold a week-long public exhibition in DumDum estate from today .
Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh today inaugurated virtually a public exhibition of Defence products organized by The Ministry of Defence at 75 locations across the country, including Ordnance Factory Dum Dum to commemorate the 75 years of India’s independence.
During the week-long exhibition, various products manufactured for Indian Army and Air Force, over a period of time in OFDC, would be put on display. These products include various type of Tail Unit for 500 kg, 450kg,1000lb,100-120 kg Fighter Bombs, Fuzes for 51 MM Mortar, 81MM Mortar, 120 MM Mortar and various type of polymer components of weapons e.g. Magzine, Guards, etc.
Staff and experts from the Ordnance Factory will explain the function and specialty of the weapons manufactured indigenously in the factory through R&D.
The exhibition will remain open for public including students from schools and colleges from 1200 hrs to 1800 hrs during the week.
Ministry of Finance
Auction for Sale  of  ‘NEW GOI SGrB 2028’,  ‘NEW GOI SGrB 2033’
The Government of India  has announced the sale  of  “NEW GOI SGrB 2028” for a notified amount of ₹4,000 Crore  through yield based auction using uniform price method and  “NEW GOI SGrB 2033” for a notified amount of ₹4,000 Crore  through yield based auction using uniform price method. GoI will have the option to retain additional subscription up to ₹2,000 Crore against each security mentioned above. The auctions will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai Office, Fort, Mumbai on January 25, 2023 .
Up to 5% of the notified amount of the sale of the securities will be allotted to eligible individuals and institutions as per the Scheme for Non-Competitive Bidding Facility in the Auction of Government Securities.
Both competitive and non-competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution  system on January 25, 2023. The non-competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. and the competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m.
The result of the auctions will be announced on January 25, 2023  and payment by successful bidders will be on January 27, 2023 .
The Securities will be eligible for “When Issued” trading in accordance with the guidelines on ‘When Issued transactions in Central Government Securities’ issued by the Reserve Bank of India vide circular No. RBI/2018-19/25 dated July 24, 2018 as amended from time to time.